A Look at the Eagles Position Groups: Forwards
This past year was an interesting one for the Eagles, there were a lot of ups and downs as they navigated through a short schedule with a new head coach and had to watch the World Cup from home. While failing to qualify for the World Cup was a massive blow, the Eagles have pressed on and shown a lot of resilience and determination this year, as they start building toward the next World Cup in Australia.
The 2022 season was rough for the Eagles, they finished the year at 3-1-1, with a loss to Chile and a draw to Portugal, meaning they missed both opportunities to qualify by the slimmest of margins. After the end of the 2022 season the Eagles’ coach, Gary Gold, parted ways with the team and Scott Lawrence was named as the interim. Since then Lawrence’s team have finished 4-2 this season, with wins over Romania, Toulouse, Brazil and Spain.
There have been a lot of new faces in the Eagles camp this season, 14 players made their international debuts, and another 11 uncapped individuals were selected to participate in training camps this season to prepare for matches and get a better look from Scott Lawrence and his staff. In this post we plan to review each position group in the forwards, and review the depth at the Eagles’ disposal. We’ll list off who the starters would be if everyone available were healthy and made available by their clubs, and dive into the reserve players, and discuss the players we would like to see given a shot, and those that we think should be left with their clubs.
PROPS
STARTERS: Jack Iscaro, 26-years-old, 6’1 255 lbs, 6 Caps | David Ainu’u, 24-years-old, 5’10 275 lbs, 20 Caps
Iscaro and Ainu’u are the obvious incumbent starters, Ainu’u was primarily a loosehead when Lamositele was available for the Eagles, but is capable of playing tighthead and has done so for both club and country recently. Despite his age, Ainu’u is already a very experienced prop, with 20 international matches played and 70 played for one of the best teams in the Top 14, Toulouse. Iscaro has come on impressively over the past two years and seems to have cemented his spot as the starting loosehead. He is a tough player with strong scrummaging abilities, but with areas to improve as he gets more experience at this level.
Behind these two it gets murky. Paul Mullen is a 30 cap veteran and has been a servant for the Eagles, but at 32 is showing his age as his scrum quality has dropped and he has doesn’t have the match fitness he once did. Geiger is a powerful ball carrier and tackler, but is still raw as a scrummager, having only converted to prop within the last year, though to his credit he seemed to improve at that aspect in the few games he received this season. Jake Turnbull has gotten several looks this season but has struggled at times in the scrum, he seems too light and his technique needs work for the international stage. Others that have gotten time this year are Takaji Young-Yen, who is only 24, and Alex Maughan.
Lawrence has his work cut out for him, ideally six quality props would be needed for an international team, and as of right now there are only two that would clearly make the cut. Paul Mullen seems to be past his prime and should be looked at more for injury reserve, rather than regular game time, while Turnbull has not be impressive at all in his time for the Eagles this season, and needs to show improvement before he gets another shot. Kaleb Geiger, Takaji Young-Yen and Nate Sylvia should continue to get more looks and time in camp. Some younger players we think should get time in camp as well are 25-year-old Payton Telea-Ilallio, who is now in San Diego, 26-year-old Brian Nault of NOLA, and 26-year-old Kyle Ciquera is a regular for the MLR champions, New England, having featured in 43 matches over 4 seasons.
HOOKERS
STARTER: Kapeli Pifeleti, 24-years-old, 6’0 246 lbs, 10 Caps
Fawsitt has been the primary hooker used by Lawrence this season, but when available for selection, the first choice hooker is more than likely Kapeli Pifeleti, so we have him listed there. The 24-year-old already has 10 caps and 4 tries to his name and has gained plenty of experience with Saracens where he has appeared in 42 matches for the London based side since joining in 2019. Alongside those two, Mike Sosene-Feagai, is another that would get regular time when he is available from his club duties.
Peter Malcolm has been the primary backup hooker this season with Joe Taufete’e also making an appearance against Romania. Taufete’e had once been the go to starter, even earning a nomination for World Player of the Year with his record breaking try scoring, but he has bounced back and forth between tighthead and hooker in recent years and doesn’t quite have the same burst he once did, but remains a viable option. Malcolm earned his first caps since 2017 and was solid in his reserve role, but is now 29, adding to the theme of mostly older hookers.
A couple of backup hookers need to be developed behind Pifeleti, with the other current options all in or entering their 30s. Luckily, there are a few options for Lawrence to look, at. One that seems off the table right now is Shilo Klein, who was a part of the Eagles camp this season but is now back in New Zealand with the Blues, hopefully the 24-year-old will make himself available again in the near future. Another option is 25-year-old Joey Backe who played in 8 matches this season for Utah and has great size at 6’0 240 pounds. Another is 25-year-old Mason Koch of Chicago, who has considerable game time (29 matches and 6 tries in 3 seasons), and is a strong ball carrier and solid in the set piece. Finally, 21-year-old Ben Strang is a nice young option, who already has 3 seasons of NPC experience. Ben was originally born in Maryland and grew up in New Zealand, so it will be interesting to see if he puts his hand up for the US.
LOCKS
STARTERS: Greg Peterson, 32-years-old, 6’8 280 lbs, 41 Caps | Cam Dolan, 33-years-old, 6’6 242 lbs, 67 Caps
Peterson and Dolan have been the primary guys at lock this season, with Brakeley, Mahoni, and Golla also stepping in. However, Brakeley has joined his former New York partner, Nick Civetta, and retired, so he is no longer available for selection. Peterson and Dolan have been immense for the USA in the lineout and provide a wealth of experience and leadership to the side, but it’s doubtful what their status may be for the 2027 World Cup, due to their age. Either way, they offer invaluable experience that they can hopefully utilize to help develop future locks.
Behind them, Mahoni and Golla have seen game time this season. Mahoni has battled some injuries lately, but the 26-year-old mountain of a man brings a lot of punch to this side, as he tips the scales at 6’8 and nearly 300 pounds, he is a difficult man to bring down, and an even harder man to get through. Sam Golla has split his time this season between lock and blindside flanker, but is more at home in the engine room where he played all his matches for Dallas. The MLR Rookie of the Year has quite the engine on him, he hits rucks and makes tackles with regularity and violence, and has a strong running game that earned him a few tries for his club.
There are several other young options that should get gametime to refill the lock stocks as more of the old guard retire. Rick Rose has yet to play a professional match, but the first overall selection for Miami has prototypical size for a lock and a lot of upside. Rose is 6’7 250 pounds and can still easily add more weight to his impressive frame. He was a good lineout operator in college, and possess good speed and footwork for his size, coupled with an edge that you like to see in locks. Charlie Hewitt is older than others on this list at 28, but he comes with a lot of professional experience (58 matches played in MLR and 15 in England) he too boasts great size at 6’7 and 275 pounds, and uses his frame well in the lineout and in contact for his club side. Nafi Ma’afu is another young American lock, he has been in France for three seasons now, but has seen limited playing time in just over a dozen matches. Ma’afu is only 25 and is also 6’7, while he has yet to make his debut, he has mentioned in the past that he would eventually like to represent the Eagles. Ma’afu is a very athletic player, he accelerates quickly and moves well, and provides great lineout size.
FLANKERS
STARTERS: Hanco Germishuys, 27-years-old, 6’3 230 lbs, 26 Caps | Paddy Ryan, 25-years-old, 6’0 225 lbs, 5 Caps
Flankers start to get a little tricky. Ryan and Golla have been the primary starters this season, but Germishuys has a wealth of experience (26 international caps and 46 MLR caps) and we think will retake the 6 shirt once he is over the injury problems that kept him out of the squad this year. In regards to Golla and Ryan, they are both younger players who made their debuts this season, and both have looked impressive so far. Ryan in particular, has shown to be an excellent and dynamic ball carrier that can link with the backs with his solid passing skills. Ryan is also strong on defense, regularly making strong tackles.
When healthy Hanco Germishuys, Ben Bonasso, and Cory Daniel all got extensive playing time (with Bonasso spending some time at lock as well). As we indicated, when all are healthy we think Hanco is a first choice player with his carrying and physicality, while Bonasso may fill a similar role to Golla as both players are versatile enough to cover both the lock and backrow positions. Daniel is an impressive athlete and a ferocious tackler. Meanwhile, Vili Helu has provided a lot of lift for the Eagles the past two years, doing a solid job at the blindside as well. Lawrence will have his work cut out for him, selecting his first choice flankers when everyone is healthy.
Some other options that need looks are Devin Short, and Collin Grosse, who were included in the extended squad, and Bailey Wilson. There are others that have gotten game time or could be argued for some, but with how deep the Eagles seem to be in the backrow there would be too many to cover. Short is still only 25 but already has over 50 professional appearances in 6 seasons, and he has trained with the USA Sevens. Short is an impressive runner with the ball in hand, both quick and strong with a nice passing game as well, and a good jackaler over the ruck, he has dealt with some injury this past season though (a common theme in this group). Grosse quickly showed off how ready he was in his rookie season, playing in every match this season for Old Glory as they made their playoff run, scoring a pair of tries along the way. The 6’3 245 pounder, is a physical and intelligent player (he attended West Point afterall) and may only be held back by the logjam that is forming around the few available flanker spots. Wilson made his debut this season off the bench against Spain for only 13 minutes, but he has been an exciting player in the MLR for several years now. Despite being only 23, he has already tallied 53 matches played and just under 4,000 minutes of professional rugby in the MLR. Wilson is one of the fastest forwards in the MLR, and is an excellent all around player, while also providing excellent pregame speeches according to his teammates.
EIGHTMAN
STARTER: Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz, 27-years-old, 6’2 253 lbs, 9 Caps
This is another instance of us putting in the guy that we believe would start if everyone is healthy and available. Luke White made his long awaited debut this season, and has shown to be a physical presence, but with doesn’t have the pace of other backrowers now with his age, and it is unlikely he is in the long-term plans. Nevertheless, he has not been a bad addition for the Eagles this season, he just hasn’t been acceptional. Fa’anana-Schultz is a supreme athlete, and a deadly ball carrier, he hasn’t played this season due to injuries, but once healthy is probably the first choice number eight, especially with his age.
Thomas Tua’avao is another player that has made his debut this season and played well in limited minutes, getting only one start this year against Georgia. He did score his first international try against Brazil, and is a dynamic and powerful ball carrier, who can also cover the blindside and has even played lock for Utah. However, Tua’avao is already 30 and while he still possesses
When healthy Malon Al-Jiboori has been a great option anywhere along the backrow, but seems to have been utilized more in the number eight position recently in his career. Al-Jiboori is only 26, so he has a lot of rugby ahead of him. Niko Jones is a young up and coming player, originally from New Zealand, the 23-year-old number eight has spent several seasons in the NPC and even earned a pair of caps in Super Rugby. Jones plays alongside Schultz and Grosse in DC, and has even pushed Schultz to the blindside on occasion so he can start at number eight. The son of legendary All Black, Michael Jones, it will be interesting to see if Jones decides to represent the USA and return for another MLR season, or if he will continue to seek out a longer term Super Rugby contract and a chance to represent his birth nation. Tinahse Muchena is another up and coming eight man, the 6’3 and 245 pound rock of a man, recently became US eligible and had a strong showing for Chicago this season, it’s very likely the US will seek to cap him quickly to lock down the services of his powerful ball carrying.
